“What are you doing? It’s good manners to return the gesture.” She told him.

And that was my final straw as I quickly turned my heel and walked away from there.

The conversation they had replayed in mind over and over again, making me numb.

Why didn’t he tell me about this before? Why did he even let me stay with him when he has fiancé?

I knew he wanted to help me, but, shouldn’t he have at least told me that he has a fiancé?

At least then,

I wouldn’t have-

...

My vision grew blurry and that’s when I realised that I was actually crying.

I’m not the one to cry easily. It makes me seem feeble and I hate it.

But this time, I really couldn’t help but cry.

It hurts.

It hurts so much that it feels like I’m being stabbed to death. My lungs feel suffocated with air being driven out.

This…

This is the thing I’ve always been afraid of. Falling for him and getting my heart broken.

I knew this would happen.

I brought this upon myself. But I never knew that this would hurt so much.

All the memories I had with him came rushing, making me feel even more miserable.

I immediately took Iseul and moved out of the building.

‘Momma. Where’s dada?’

‘You said you’d let me meet him?’

‘Why didn’t he come to see me?’

She asked me tons of questions but I couldn’t answer any of them. I was still speechless and wasn’t in the right state of mind to think about anything.

What would I even tell her? I’m already confused myself.

Me having Iseul was the only thing that prevented me from driving recklessly.

That woman’s face kept on appearing in front of me. And their conversation echoed through my ears making me feel helpless.

I was about to lose it and breakdown in front of Iseul that too while driving the car, but got saved by my ringtone.

It was some unknown number. And I decided to distract myself and take the call, switching the Bluetooth on and connecting it with my car.

And as soon as I pressed the receive button in the steering wheel, I heard a lady speak, “Hello, is this Ro Dayun?” She asked.

I paused for a moment before, “Yeah, it is me. Can I know who I’m talking with?” I asked and I hated how weak my voice sounded.

“Yeah. Ma’am… We’re from Yi housing agency. I was informed that you contacted us last month, looking for a house. Is that right?” She spoke, choosing her words carefully.

At that, I pulled myself together. And spoke again, “Yeah, that’s right. I did.”

This time, my voice came out a bit stronger.

“Okay. Ma’am. We’ve found a house according to your preferences. If you’re interested, please let me know. So that, I shall arrange your visit.”

She informed me and I immediately knew what to do next.

...

He has a fiancé or not. It doesn’t matter. The scene I witnessed was enough to knock some senses into me.

With that, I turned the wheel.

~

~

Insoo’s POV,

I quickly headed home right after Sophia left. She suggested that we drink coffee together and usually I’d have accepted it but today I wanted to just go home. So, without stopping anywhere, I went home straight.

The door opened with a click as I dialed the password and I entered.

I could sense something odd about the environment as soon as I set foot on the floor of the hall.

The house was oddly silent.

“Iseul…” I called her name. She usually comes instantly when I call her but now she didn’t. I started looking for Dayun. But I couldn’t find her either.

“They went out?” I asked to no one as I walked through the rooms. While walking, I felt something brush against my feet. It was Iseul’s gaming remote control. The one she broke or………. Like she said… the one that got itself broken.

I took it into my hands and sat on the couch.

“Where did they go?.......... Did she go grocery shopping or something? But we just bought those last week?”

I asked to no one again and proceeded to take my phone out of my pocket. I was about to call Dayun but it seemed like, I had already received a text message from her.

I quickly tapped on it and proceeded to read the message.

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It read,

4 messages from Ro Dayun.,

‘I received a call from one of the housing agency I had contacted.’

‘She told me that she had found a house for me and that I can visit it, if I’m interested. So, I’m going there now.'

‘And yeah, Iseul's with me too. We might be late, so, don’t wait for us.’

‘And by the way……….. If I find the place to be nice, I’m thinking of moving there as soon as possible.’

.

.

.

I blinked several times at the screen. And read the message over and over again.

What?

Dayun-

She is moving out?

I-

She didn’t tell me about that. I mean, of course she’d decide to move out at some point. But-

………All of a sudden?

…

Why..?!

‘I’m thinking of moving there as soon as possible.’

Her words stuck with me.

I quickly tapped to call her. But it went unreceived.

After a couple of minutes, I called her again, but it went unreceived too.

I tried again and again and again. But she didn’t answer any of my calls. And when I tried for the sixth time. She cut my call.

Huh?

She has never cut my call before?

Then, I quickly received a custom message saying,

‘Sorry. Am driving.’

She’s driving?

What-

Isn’t that an excuse that people say when they don’t want to take a call?

And she usually keeps her phone connected to Bluetooth…….. Or at least she could’ve let Iseul take the call.

I grew really confused.

This is weird. She’s acting weird.

Her actions make me think that I had done something wrong and that she's upset with me. So, I replayed everything that has happened today.

But I couldn’t find anything I did, that could possibly upset her,

…

Except-

………The kiss.

…

Could it be the reason? Is she upset that I tried to... kiss her?

But she-

I mean that was-

I-

I dropped my head, bewildered.

I still held Iseul’s remote in my hand, the sight of which made me miss them already.

~

…

A few hours later,

Dayun entered the house carrying a sleeping Iseul on her back.

As soon as she entered, her eyes fell on Insoo who quickly stood up at the sight of her. But she ignored him and entered Iseul’s room to put her to bed.

Insoo didn’t say anything and just watched her silently. Then, she proceeded to walk inside her room as he followed her to stand at the door.

He was just standing there looking at her until, she pulled out one of her travel bags and started packing her things.

Insoo’s eyes grew wide at that as he quickly rushed to grab her hand.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He asked her, making Dayun turn to look at him in the eyes for the first time after entering the house.

His voice sounded stern and demanded answers while his eyes looked red reflecting grief and pain.

She looked at him for a moment before she said, “I’m packing.” And shoved his hands away, as she continued to pack.

“I can see that.” Insoo spoke annoyed. “I’m asking, why are you moving out?” He asked.

“Didn’t I send you a text message saying that I’d move out as soon as possible if I like the place?” She asked and looked at him for a second before continuing, “Well. I did like the place, so, I’m moving out.”

Insoo closed his eyes for a moment at that, sighing, before he asked, “When are you moving out?”

“In the morning” Her reply came right away.

“In the morn-”

His eyes grew even wider. He just couldn’t understand it… Understand her. Everything was fine until a few hours ago. Then why? Why suddenly?

His face fell.

“Does-” It took him a moment to be able to form words as his voice grew weaker. “Does Iseul want to move out too?” He asked and his voice wasn’t more than a whisper.

Dayun stopped her actions at that, thinking, only to say “I’d convince her” after a moment, as she closed the zipper of one of the bags and started to walk towards the cupboard to grab the rest of her clothes.

Insoo walked behind her. “So, it’s just you..?........... Dayun, I understand that you want to move to your own place but why suddenly? I mean you never mentioned it before?” He asked her, totally clueless and helpless.

“Like you said, I want to move to my own place and there’s no reason for wanting that.” She replied taking the clothes one by one.

“Is it because of something I did?” Was the next thing he asked her, and at that she paused for a long moment to turn to look at him.

Then, she proceeded to move towards the bed and started folding the clothes to keep them inside her bag, “Dayun, I'm sorry if-”

“No, it has nothing to do with you.” She replied cutting him off.

“Nothing to do with me?” He repeated her words, before asking,

“Then why?! Why are you moving out?” His voice raised at that as he sounded rather too desperate.

And after a moment, the painful expression in his eyes were replaced with worry and fear as his question got followed by another question.

“Maybe… Is it because of Hyun Hee-sung?”

Dayun paused folding the clothes as she looked confused while Insoo continued, “Did he- Did he find you again? Dayun please tell me if he’s the reason. If that’s the reason, then we can-”

“No.” She cut him off again and shook her head. “Hee-sung?” She asked surprised. “No, he-……. It has nothing to do with him either.” She said before she looked at him and started walking towards her mini table to grab some of her books and other things.

“If it’s not because of me and not because him, then why?! Why are you doing this?” He asked, his voice approaching her.

“Like I said, I don’t have a reason. You’ve done me a great help by letting me stay here when I had no safe place to stay. I can never forget that. You also allowed me inside your life and I can’t be more thankful. But I did tell you, I’d move out as soon as I found my own place and now I’m keeping my word.” She said turning around, “I don’t want to be a burden-” but paused in shock to find Insoo standing so close behind her, blocking her way.

She tried to not let it affect her as she continued, “Burden- I don’t want to be a Burden on you. You've already done me enough. And I’ve already caused you enough inconvenience. So I guess, it’s better if I move out.” She said but her words came out very weak as she felt Insoo’s intense gaze, fixed on her.

“Burden?” He scoffed. “Do you think I'd feel like you're a burden? That’s the reason for you to move out? Because you feel like........... You cause me inconvenience?” He asked looking at her eyes, making Dayun look down at her feet.

“Ye- Yeah. That’s the reason.” Her words stuttered.

“Look at me.” His words came out more like a command and she immediately looked up to meet his eyes that were even closer now. “After everything we shared together, that's the best you’ve got? That’s your reason to leave me?” He asked her slowly, with his eyes welling up and he wasn’t just talking about, her moving out of his house, anymore.

Dayun flinched. And she turned her head to face down again.

“Yeah. That’s it. What else do you expect?” She said bluntly, not wanting to say anything more.

But Insoo had enough. “I told you to……………. LOOK AT ME!” He screamed at the last part raising his voice making Dayun jolt up in shock. He sounded really angry and he has never used that tone with her ever. In fact, she has never seen him use that tone to anyone before.

His eyes showed a lot of emotions, the dominant ones being anger, confusion, helplessness, desperation, dejection and… Most importantly pain.

He was on the verge of tears when he spoke, “I don’t believe it. I don’t believe that’s the only reason for you deciding to move away, out of nowhere……….. I don’t accept it. I can’t. So…………… Tell me. Tell me why you’re doing this?” He asked her again and his voice couldn’t be more broken.

“Tell me Dayun. I’m not letting you leave until you tell me.” He stated and further added, “I need to at least know why.” which came out too weak to even reach her ears.

But despite all that, no words came out of her mouth. Instead, Insoo watched a lonely tear come out of her eye. The sight of which broke him inside, softening his eyes, but he still stood stern, waiting for her to answer.

Ten seconds passed and still no answer.

Anger left him completely leaving only pain behind.

“Please- Please don’t do this to me, Dayun. Of all the people, you can not do this to me.” He said.

“I’m asking you one last time. Why are you leaving the house suddenly? Tell me.” He asked and watched her carefully, in the hopes of at least finding the answer in her eyes.

But-

He got none.

He waited for her. He desperately waited for her.

A couple of moments paused and then another.

His heart shattered into millions of pieces as the held up tears started to find their way down his cheek. It hurt him really bad. He felt miserable and empty. Her leaving him caused him immeasurable pain and on top of that, she was leaving without a reason.

The next moment, he found himself taking a step away from her. At which, Dayun’s gaze turned down to focus on her feet again.

He took another step back. He couldn’t stay there anymore. If he stayed there even a moment longer, he was afraid he’d breakdown completely. After all, if she really wanted to leave, then, who is he to stop her. He can’t.

So, he decided to just give up and turn away, walk away.

And he was about to do just that when Dayun’s voice echoed through the room,

“BECAUSE I LIKE YOU!”

…

Making Insoo stop right on his tracks as he slowly turned to face her again. That’s when, she raised her head to look straight at his eyes before speaking again, “Because I really like you.”

She said again as he just stood there not expecting it.

She paused for a long moment before adding, “Darn it!..…... I love you! I love you really bad.” She raised her voice again and his eyes traced her path as she walked near him. He looked at her with visible confusion as she continued,

“You wanted to know why I was leaving?....... That's the reason.” She said sounding weary. “I’m moving out because I really love you and even looking at you... Breaks me.” She paused before turning to the side and continued,

“I tried…………..” She said. “I tried really hard... To not fall for you, to stop liking you, but………….." She paused again. "I just couldn’t do that- I couldn't do that when you- kept on making me feel all those quirky emotions. And you- You've given me soo much to remember and miss that no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t do that.” Her words came out really soft.

Insoo took a quick step towards her and was about to say something when Dayun turned back to face him again.

“It’s all your fault!” She raised her voice and stepped closer to hold his collar. “I just can not understand you. You confuse me! One moment, it seems like you like me and really care about me. But the next moment, you act really indifferent.” She said letting go of his collar and slightly pushing him away, “Even in the afternoon, you acted all casually after you-” She paused. “You…………” She said looking away, touching her lips.

Insoo found his voice to say, “Dayun, that was-”

But was cut off by Dayun, “It’s fine. You can drop that.” She said coldly facing him again and “I know you have a fiancé.” She let out as her face fell.

At which, Insoo couldn’t help but let out a “Huh?” as he didn’t seem to understand what she was talking about and was totally confused.

“I saw you……… planning your- wedding... with her.” Her voice dropped. Insoo was surprised to hear that and took a moment to understand and asked “You came to the office?” feeling shocked.

To which, “What?..... I came to take some files. I can't even do that?” She spat.

“No. It's not that. But you-…….. Dayun you are-”

“Don’t.” She cut him off. “You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to hear that.”

“No. But she is-”

“It’s fine.” She said rubbing the corner of her eyes with her index finger and turned to look at him. “I understand that you don't have to tell me everything.”

Insoo sighed really hard at that. “Oh, Dayun, you’re-”

But got cut off again. “You don’t have to worry about it, really. I- It’s for the best… Me moving out, I mean. It’d be fine then. I won’t cause you any trouble.”

“That’s not what I-”

“It’s fine. I get it.”

“Dayun-”

“Move. I’ve to pack.” She said pushing him away.

“Damn, Dayun. Won't you just let me talk?!”

“I believe we don’t have anything more to talk.” She said and took her books and other things that she dropped in the table, back in her hands.

“No Dayun. Just listen to me. You're-” He grabbed her wrist stopping her from moving away.

“What?!” She screamed at that, forcefully taking her hand back. “What more do you want me to say?!”

“C’mon! You're totally mist-”

“You asked me why I was leaving. And I told you why, so, just leave already! Stop making me-”

And this time it was her, who was cut off,

Because the next thing she knew,

He claimed her lips.

To be continued…